按理

ànlǐ
adverb #37,354

Meanings

  1. 1 according to reason
  2. 2 by rights
  3. 3 normally
  4. 4 in the ordinary course of things

Examples

Ànlǐ tā yīnggāi yǐjīng dào le.
By rights he should have arrived already.
Ànlǐ shuō, zhè zhǒng cuòwù bú huì fāshēng.
Logically speaking, this kind of mistake shouldn't happen.

Tips

usage
Frequently expanded to 按理说 (ànlǐ shuō, 'logically speaking') or 按理来说 (ànlǐ lái shuō). Sets up an expectation that the next clause often contradicts: 按理应该可是 ('by rights he should have come, but he didn't'). Synonyms: 照理 (zhàolǐ), 按说 (ànshuō).

Stroke Order

àn